Snow Wolf

He replaced the file in his briefcase,then removed another, placed it on the table and slid it across. "JosephStalin" was written on the folder cover in blue ink.

"in the meantime, you'd better readthis."

Stanski picked up the folder. "Whatis it?"

"Everything we know about JosephStalin. His background, his personality, his weaknesses, his strengths. Evenmedical data. His present security arrangements, as far as we can as certain.The layout of the Kremlin and the dachas he uses. I want you to study itcarefully. This isn't an ordinary mission, Alex. You're going to try and killthe devil incarnate. You know the rule-know your enemy like you know yourself,Needless to say, you don't show the file to anyone. Destroy it when you'vememorized everything you need to."

Stanski half smiled. "Then allthings being equal I guess there's really only one more question."

"What's that?"

"When do I go in?"

"A month from now."

New York. January 26th The apartment wason the top floor and she came to the door as soon as Massey knocked,"Hello, A

For a moment she hesitated, then a smilelit up her face. "Massey ... !"

"You look surprised."

"I thought I'd never see youagain."

She took him by the hand, led him insideand closed the door. The apartment was a studio with a single bed, a table andtwo rickety chairs. There were some winter roses in a vase by the window andthe view looked down to a liquor store below, Brooklyn and Queens in thedistance.

The place didn't look like much but thenMassey guessed she would have been happy with anything after her experience inthe Gulag. She had done her best to make it pretty, but there were no familyphotographs on the walls and it made him feel sad, knowing how lonely she musthave felt. He handed her the brown wrapped parcel. "For you."

She smiled and the surprise lit up herface. "I don't understand. What is it?"

"Open it and See."

She opened the brown paper. It was a box ofKuntz's chocolates. The big brown eyes looked almost childlike as they met hisface. gain. One Massey said in Russian, "My way of saying hello a Russianto another. How have you been, A

"Good. And even better now I've seenyou again. Thank you for the present, Jake."

"It's nothing." He looked ather figure. "Don't get angry when I say this, but you've put on weightsince Helsinki and it suits YOU."

She laughed. "Then I'll take it as acompliment." She held up the box of chocolates. "And these are notgoing to help, but thank you again." She stood up as she said, "Ifound an immigrant store that sells really good Russian tea. Would you likesome?"

"You read my mind, I'll have itRussian-style." He smiled. "Seven sugars but don't stir."

She laughed and went into the tinykitchen.

They sat at the table. Massey sipped thetea and spoke in Russian.

"It's good to see you smile, A

"In a garment factory owned by aPolish-American. It's a crazy place, but I like it. And the girls I work withare not how I thought American girls would be."

"In what way?"

"They talk a lot more than Russiangirls. And they laugh more. And eat more." She smiled. "A lot more.That's why I put on weight."

"I guess you must make big dresses,huh?"

She laughed. "Not that big."

"Have you made many friends?"

"Some."

Massey looked around the room."Don't you get lonely here all on your own?"

"Sometimes." She shrugged."It's not so bad. But I'm so glad you came to see me, Jake."

"Actually, it's unofficial business,not pleasure. But it's good to see you too."

She put down her cup and looked across athim. "I don't understand. I was told someone wanted to talk to me about mywork permit. Is that why you're here?"

For several moments Massey sat there, notsaying anything.

When he finally spoke his voice was quietand serious.

"A

When he saw the confusion on her face hesaid, "Will you do something for me, A

A

Massey stood up. He ran a hand throughhis hair and looked down at her face.

First, I want you to understand onething. What I have to tel;,you is strictly confidential. if you speak about itto anyone I can promise that your right to remain in this country will berevoked. You may even face court charges," He saw the sudden look of fearon her face and said, "I'm sorry for being so blunt, A

She was still looking at him, confusionon her face, and Massey said gently, "Don't be afraid. Whatever youranswer is, it in no way affects your right to remain in America. But I want tomake it clear that you speak to no one about this conversation."

She nodded slowly. "Iunderstand."

"Good. Now we've got that part outof the way." He sat down and took his time before he began. "A

She stared back at him. "What sortof mission'? You mean something to do with the military?"

Massey shook his head and half smiled."N(A the military, A

"I don't understand. What has thisgot to do with me?"

"The people I spoke about want youto be that woman."

Massey studied her face. She lookedtotally confused. For several long moments she stared back at him.

"I don't understand? You're askingme to go to Moscow?"

"I know it sounds crazy. What youescaped from doesn't bear thinking about. To ask you to go back again is likeasking you to return to hell. But not for nothing, A

"Get your daughter back."

Massey studied her reaction. It was as ifa painful, terrible wound had opened. Her face drained of color and she didn'tspeak for several moments, the dark eyes probing Massey's face.

"A

She stared at him and Massey saw the weteyes. "You didn't lie when you said you can get Sasha out of Russia? Youcan really do that? You can bring her to America?"

"It can be done, A